Quick Indy testing question

[Guest]

Article I have suggests it was 2 589-equipped cars that were tested at Indy and it was one of those (as opposed to a 335 CI car) that rolled at 100 MPH. The movie (sure; I know there are numerous discrepancies) suggested Indy testing was with the new 335 motor. Which scenario is correct (just want to clear this up for myself). Thanks!

[Tuckerfan1053]

Everything I've ever read indicates that the Tin Goose was the only car ever equipped with the 589 engine, though I could be wrong.

[Guest]

That's what I always thought, but the article (Speed Age 5/57) quotes Ben Parsons in a Q&A interview as claiming such. Maybe what happened is that 589 cars were run @ Indy and later switched over to 335s by the Corporation... there weren't possibly 2 Indy test sessions, right?

Rolled car #1027 would've held the answer at one point- since it wasn't repaired initially I imagine swapping the engine wasn't a priority. But the car is enough of a 'hodge-podge' at this point that I doubt it's 'talking' to anyone as far as evidence is concerned. I see it sold recently with 2 335s as part of the lot- neither installed.

[Tuckerfan1053]

I think that Parsons is mistaken, since he stated that they had something like 150 of the 589 engines, which to my knowledge is far far greater than the number they actually had. I'd think that if they'd had that many completed, you'd be able to find them on eBay occassionally, since the spare 335 engines show up there every now and then.

[Guest]

sigh... I tend to agree with you there; there would be at least a half-handful left 'out there' if that many were built. I wish it were otherwise- it was a fascinating design. Thanks, 1053.
--Mark

[Guest]

The Tin Goose was the only car with a 589 engine. All of the cars tested at Indy had the 335 engine. Tucker Serial number 1026 had the Rice automatic transmission. The Tin Goose was recycled to the factory, the 589 pulled and a 335 engine installed.

Richard

[Guest]

Wonder why the hell the Speed Age article contains misinformation: either it's bad recollection or an agenda on the part of Parsons ('150 589s', '589 cars tested at Indy')? I mean it was 1957- not like there was a Tucker Corp to 'shore up' by then, plus he was gainfully employeed as the pres of Fuelcharger then. I don't get it.

Make ones begin to question the other claims in the article, especifically the ones directly about the engine itself. I'd rather stay dreamy-eyed, I think....
--Mark